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R4BP 3

Company information

How do I update my company details?

You can update your company details using ECHA Accounts. Once you log into R4BP 3, select the legal entity under the ECHA banner and click on "Edit" to modify your company details. Here you can modify company billing or contact information.

If more than one contact person has been specified in ECHA Accounts, you can modify this person from the company detailscontacts tab within your case in R4BP 3.

In addition, remember that certain administrative changes, such as the authorisation holder transfer, name or address of the authorisation holder of national authorisations, require the approval of the relevant Member States.

A case number identifies a particular application or notification submitted to ECHA. A submission number relates to a particular application or notification, and identifies the number of a submission.

If you need to prepare two submissions for the same case (application or notification), e.g. the evaluating authority requests additional information, the following format applies:

Initial submission number: BC-YY 000000-11/1

Submission number for the additional information for the same case: BC-YY 000000-11/2

Note: the case number remains unchanged, while the submission number changes.

Modified Date: 19/08/2015

ID: 0794

Version: 1.1

What is the difference between Tasks and Messages?

A task item relates to a case, requiring an action from you within a specific deadline, e.g. a request for additional information. Messages will provide you with information about the status of your case. Member state competent authorities and ECHA will send communications to your R4BP 3 message inbox. Requests for action will however be sent to your R4BP 3 task inbox. It is your responsibility to regularly monitor your message inbox and task items in your R4BP 3 account to make sure that you react promptly to any request from ECHA or national authorities.

Modified Date: 03/04/2020

ID: 0796

Version: 1.1

What is the meaning of "tasks due to expire" and "my messages" in the homepage of R4BP 3?

"Tasks due to expire" includes up to 10 tasks where you are required to respond within 10 days.

The "My messages" box shows the latest 10 messages.

New messages are displayed in red while those you have read are displayed in black.

Modified Date: 10/12/2015

ID: 0797

Version: 1.1

What is the meaning of related cases and related assets in R4BP 3?

The "Related cases" sub-tab on the case details page will show you both open and closed cases that relate to the particular case/asset you are viewing. A case does not have a final decision yet. For example, a ‘Mutual recognition in parallel' case that is being evaluated in one MSCA can be viewed through the other related ‘Mutual recognition in parallel' cases being assessed in other MSCAs. The "Related assets" tab allows you to access assets related to a particular asset/case.

You receive email notification alerts to the email addresses specified in the contact details of your account.

These emails inform the case owner about the completion of steps in an application or notification submitted through R4BP 3.

If you need to modify or delete a particular user, log in to R4BP 3 and select your user under the ECHA banner; then go to the ‘Contacts’ tab and remove or modify the entry.

Modified Date: 24/05/2018

ID: 1042

Version: 1.4

Why does R4BP 3 not accept my IUCLID file or SPC when I want to reply to a task created by my competent authority?

Your authorities may request more information from you by using a communication functionality. You can find this message in your message tab.

If the message contains a deadline for your attention, you will find it in the tasks tab with the subject "reply to communication."

Since the communication functionality for authorities is built only to request additional information to support their assessment, you will not be able to upload the technical dossier or the SPC in an XML format. If you have to do so, please contact your authorities and ask them to complete their pending task (to request for additional information).

Modified Date: 21/08/2015

ID: 1114

Version: 1.0

I receive the error message “the system is expecting a complete SPC, not just an empty auto-generated SPC”. Why?

If you receive this message, it means that you are working with an SPC template migrated from R4BP 2, available in R4BP 3 and not all minimum information needed in the SPC has been provided.

If you include more than one SPC, e.g. in different languages, make sure that all the SPCs are complete.

Modified Date: 04/11/2016

ID: 1115

Version: 1.3

Information on chemicals

What information is available for biocides since November 2018?

The following information is available in the “Information on chemicals” section for Biocides:

The list of biocidal active substances for which an application for approval has been submitted, approval has been granted or refused. The published information includes also documents such as the assessment report, study summaries (Document IIIA), opinion and a link to the related legal text approving or not approving substance to be used as a biocidal active substance.

The list of union, simplified and national biocidal product authorisations. The published information includes also documents such as the assessment report, summary of product characteristics, decision or authorisation document, and in case of union authorisations also the Opinion and link to the related legal text.

The list of active substances and suppliers (“Article 95 list”).

Modified Date: 26/11/2018

ID: 1550

Version: 1.0

What information is available in the biocidal product factsheet?

The biocidal product factsheet contains detailed information on the biocidal product’s authorisation as available in R4BP 3. The factsheet also includes a map with the authorisation status of a product, authorisation details of all mutually recognised applications and historical data on previous assessments.

A biocidal product factsheet also contains the:

Summary of product characteristics (finalised or updated after 1 January 2016 in R4BP 3).

Product assessment report.

Product authorisation/decision documents.

Biocidal product committee opinion (for Union authorisations).

Modified Date: 26/11/2018

ID: 1551

Version: 1.0

How does ECHA guarantee the reliability of Biocides data publicly available?

The biocides data available in the “Information on chemicals” section on the ECHA’s website originates from the information provided by applicants and verified by the evaluating competent authority. ECHA does not verify the adequacy or the correctness of information provided that falls under the responsibility of the national authorities. For confidential data assessed by your evaluating competent authority, you will need to ensure the adequacy of the information published with your national authorities.

When will the information from my application be published on ECHA’s website?

Information on biocidal product authorisations will be published in the “Information on chemicals” section on ECHA’s website when a product asset is created in R4BP 3. Information on active substances will be published when the evaluation is started by the evaluating Member State authority.

Modified Date: 26/11/2018

ID: 1553

Version: 1.0

How can I ensure that confidential information will not be published?

During the approval/authorisation process for active substance or biocidal product, the applicant has to provide comments within 30 days to ensure that documents subject to dissemination according to Article 67 of the BPR (the SPC, assessment report, Document III-A, Decisions/authorisation document and Opinion) do not contain confidential information. Once an authorisation, a renewal or a change on request is approved in R4BP 3, you can verify the correctness of the following R4BP 3 information disseminated on the ECHA website as available in your asset:

The summary of product characteristics (SPC) in XML format. Note: information on the function of other substances or of substances of concern will not be made publicly available.

Documents under the “Documents” tab with access level ‘Public’:

Active substance/product assessment report.

Product authorisation/decision documents.

Active substance Document IIIA.

Active substance/Union authorisation Opinion.

Modified Date: 26/11/2018

ID: 1554

Version: 1.0

Certain information from my published approval/authorisation is incorrect/missing. What shall I do?

When you notice that certain published information from your active substance/authorisation is incorrect or is missing please contact the Member State responsible for evaluating your application. ECHA will publish the updated information as soon as the changes are applied in R4BP 3.

When data is inaccurate or incorrect as provided by your national authorities, you will need to contact your national authorities so they will be able to apply the necessary actions.

Data from active substance or biocidal product applications must be available in R4BP 3, i.e., new applications or updates must be authorised by your authorities in R4BP 3.

For biocidal products, the information is derived from assets available in R4BP 3. Information from pending cases is not published.

Due to technical limitations only a limited number of cancelled and expired authorisations are currently disseminated. They will be progressively published.

Modified Date: 26/11/2018

ID: 1556

Version: 1.0

Known Issue

I try to upload my SPC file and R4BP 3 seems not to react. Why?

Only files that contain ASCII characters in its filename are accepted in R4BP 3. If the name of your SPC contains non-ASCII characters, just change the name and upload it again to R4BP 3.

Modified Date: 02/11/2016

ID: 1217

Version: 1.1

Messages

How do I find a message in R4BP 3?

Messages in R4BP 3 include communications/decisions from authority users to the case owner. Most of the communications are related to the different steps in the submission process i.e. the format check, business rule failure, submission acceptance by ECHA, invoicing.

The final decision on your application/notification will also be communicated through the R4BP 3 message inbox.

Relevant search options are:

Status: sent/received

Message status: read or unread.

Communication number: every communication/decision is identified in R4BP 3 with a unique communication number.

Modified Date: 19/08/2015

ID: 0800

Version: 1.2

Migration to R4BP 3

Where can I find my remaining data from R4BP2?

Since 3 December 2014, all data for on-going applications and authorisations from R4BP2 have been migrated to R4BP 3. You need to access R4BP 3 to search for this information: search for assets if you are looking for authorisations, search for cases if you are looking for on-going applications.

If you cannot find a case or an asset corresponding to one of your ongoing applications or authorisations in R4BP that have been recorded in R4BP2, you need to send a request for each of the cases or assets to the competent authority responsible for this case or asset; When doing so, please include the following files:

Ongoing application (case): use the template file "case correction". Include the applicant LE UUID, authorisation holder LE UUID and application number in R4BP2.

Existing authorisation (asset): use the template file "asset correction". Include the authorisation number in R4BP2 and the LE UUID of the authorisation holder.

The LE UUID can be found in the legal entity details of an ECHA account. Further information can be found in the ECHA Accounts manual.

The responsible competent authority will assess your request. If they confirm your ownership of the case or asset, they will request ECHA to transfer your data to the R4BP 3 account corresponding to the LE UUID you have provided.

Modified Date: 19/08/2015

ID: 1043

Version: 1.2

Payments

Who sets ECHA fees and charges payable for the Biocidal Products Regulation?

All fees are specified in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 564/2013 of 18 June 2013 ("the BPR Fee Regulation").

Modified Date: 10/12/2015

ID: 0760

Version: 1.1

When will I receive ECHA's invoice and where can I find it?

After ECHA receives and processes your BPR application/notification – through the Register for Biocidal Products (R4BP 3) – you will receive an electronic invoice in PDF format in your R4BP 3 account (look in messages). You can open the invoice directly from this message or find it in the financial management tab of the specific case.

Modified Date: 29/02/2016

ID: 0761

Version: 1.3

What is the deadline for paying ECHA's invoice?

Unless specified otherwise, you must pay the fees within 30 days from the date of invoice; the payment due date is specified on the invoice PDF. If the payment is not made by the due date, your application might be rejected due to non-payment. The date of your payment is the date on which the full amount stated in your invoice is deposited in the bank account held by ECHA. (See Q&A 771).

Where the payment is delayed due to reasons outside of your control, ECHA needs sufficient evidence in which you prove that you have made the payment before the due date stated in your invoice.

Modified Date: 16/10/2017

ID: 0762

Version: 1.3

How do I know I paid on time?

The date of your payment is the date on which the full amount stated in your invoice is deposited in the bank account held by ECHA. (See Q&A 771). You will know that your payment was made on time and it is accepted and processed by ECHA when you see the step “Submission accepted by ECHA” in the Events History tab of your specific case.

Where the payment is delayed due to reasons outside of your control, ECHA needs sufficient evidence in which you prove that you have made the payment before the due date stated in your invoice.

Modified Date: 16/10/2017

ID: 0763

Version: 1.2

How do I pay ECHA's invoice?

You must pay your invoice by bank transfer. ECHA's full bank details are stated in the invoice.

ECHA recommends that you pay the invoice as a SEPA payment with shared cost. Within the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), the use of IBAN (International Bank Account Number) and BIC (Bank Identifier Code)/SWIFT code is mandatory. This payment method will ensure that ECHA receives the full invoiced amount without any deduction of bank charges. For further information regarding SEPA, please consult: http://www.ecb.int/paym/sepa/html/index.en.html.

If you choose another kind of bank transfer, please make sure that your company bears the full cost of the bank transfer. The invoice will not be considered paid until the full amount has been received by ECHA.

Modified Date: 10/12/2015

ID: 0764

Version: 1.2

What is ECHA's bank account number for the payment of invoices related to the BPR?

Payments of BPR invoices must be made in euros by means of a bank transfer.

The following bank details are indicated on all invoices issued under the BPR as from 01 July

You must indicate the invoice number in the free text message/communications field of your payment. The invoice number consists of eight digits you will find next to ECHA's bank details in your invoice. Please instruct your accounts payable/payments department and your bank accordingly. Separate instructions apply for appeal fees..

Modified Date: 27/06/2019

ID: 0766

Version: 1.1

What are the consequences of not paying an invoice within the payment due date?

The date on which the full invoice amount is deposited into ECHA's bank account is the only accepted date of your payment. If your payment is not in ECHA's account by the due date, your application/notification will be rejected unless you provide a confirmation from a financial institution that shows that you have ordered the transfer before the due date.

Modified Date: 10/12/2015

ID: 0767

Version: 1.2

If my application is rejected/withdrawn before or during validation or during the assessment, do I receive a refund?

Where an application for active substance approval or biocidal product authorisation or an application for a minor or major change of a product is rejected/withdrawn before or during the validation phase, ECHA will reimburse 90 % of the fee.

Where an application for active substance approval or biocidal product authorisation or an application for a major change of a product is rejected/withdrawn before the evaluating competent authority has transmitted its assessment report to ECHA, 75 % of the fee will be reimbursed.

Where an application is rejected/withdrawn after the evaluating competent authority has transmitted its assessment report to ECHA, the Agency will not reimburse the fee.

Modified Date: 26/11/2018

ID: 0768

Version: 1.2

Why is ECHA's invoice without value added tax (VAT)?

ECHA's invoices are exempt from VAT because the Agency is not carrying out an economic activity within the meaning of Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax. This means that no VAT has to be paid on the fees defined in the BPR Fee Regulation. For the reason above, ECHA has no VAT number and ECHA's invoices are exempt from VAT

ECHA's Finnish Business ID number is 2139942-8 and it is always mentioned on ECHA's invoices. However, this number is not a VAT number.

Modified Date: 10/12/2015

ID: 0769

Version: 1.1

Why are the activities of ECHA not taxable?

ECHA is not a private company or a service provider but a European public authority. The exclusion of ECHA's activities and transactions from taxation also results from Article 13(1) of Directive 2006/112/EC (1) on a common system of value added tax, which stipulates:

"States, regional and local government authorities and other bodies governed by public law shall not be regarded as taxable persons in respect of the activities or transactions in which they engage as public authorities, even where they collect dues, fees, contributions or payments in connection with those activities or transactions".

As it is not a taxable person, ECHA does not have a tax residence in any Member State and thus has no taxation number in Finland.

The invoices that ECHA sends through R4BP 3 to companies are issued according to the BPR and the BPR Fee Regulation. Thus, they do not concern private transactions but are fees under public law applicable in all Member States. Based on Directive 2006/112/EC and particularly Article 13(1), these fees are not subject to taxation in any Member State. In the absence of taxation of the fees in any Member State or elsewhere, ECHA shall not be bound to complete any formalities imposed on taxable persons for the avoidance of double taxation.

1) OJ L 347, 11.12.2006, p. 1

Modified Date: 10/12/2015

ID: 0770

Version: 1.1

How long does it take until ECHA receives my payment?

The bank statement of any given day is available to ECHA only on the next banking business day. A SEPA payment must be transmitted within three banking business days (since 1 November 2009). It, therefore, normally takes up to four banking business days before ECHA can handle your payment. For this reason, ECHA recommends that you make your payments before the due date stated in your invoice.

The handling time may be longer if your payment cannot be dealt with automatically. By following ECHA's instructions regarding payments, you can significantly reduce ECHA's handling time of your payments.

Modified Date: 10/12/2015

ID: 0771

Version: 1.1

How does ECHA handle my payment?

On the basis of the daily electronic bank statement, ECHA’s system automatically matches your payment with your open invoice - provided you have indicated the correct payment reference (invoice) number in the free-text message/communications field and you have paid the correct amount.

An additional condition is that you pay each invoice separately as a single payment. One bank transaction per invoice therefore ensures the fast registration of your payment.

ECHA strongly advises you not to pay two or more invoices in the same transaction ("multiple invoice payment"). If you, however, include more than one invoice in the payment, make sure that the invoice references are mentioned in full. Otherwise, the payment has to be manually handled by ECHA's accounting department. This may delay the processing of your payment.

If you can only make multiple invoice payments and you are unable to indicate the full reference numbers in the payment, make sure you follow the instructions in Q&A 775.

Modified Date: 28/10/2016

ID: 0772

Version: 1.2

How can I ensure a successful submission of the application/notification allowing it to pass to the next step?

Your payment can be swiftly dealt with by ECHA if you follow the guidelines below when making your bank transfer:

Pay one invoice per transaction (single payment);

Indicate the correct reference number (eight digit invoice number in your invoice);

Pay the full amount of the invoice;

Instruct your bank to use a charger bearer code SHAR (shared costs) if the payment is as a SEPA payment, and a charger bearer code OUR for SWIFT/ international payments.

If you discover a mistake after your payment has been made, please immediately contact ECHA using the ECHA Helpdesk webform available at http://echa.europa.eu/contact.

Modified Date: 29/11/2019

ID: 0773

Version: 1.2

How can I see that ECHA has received and validated my payment?

ECHA does not send confirmations of receipt of payment. A message will be sent to your R4BP 3 Messages-Inbox informing you that your application/notification has been accepted by ECHA only after the payment has been received and accepted. You can follow up the status of your case under the events history tab in R4BP 3.

Modified Date: 16/10/2017

ID: 0774

Version: 1.4

When should I provide ECHA with a payment advice?

A payment advice can either be an extract from your accounts payable department attached to your email message in PDF format. Alternatively, it can be a list of the invoice numbers paid, their total amounts and the payment date in the email message itself.

A payment advice must be sent in the following cases:

your payment reference (invoice) number was incorrect;

in the case of a multiple invoice payment where each invoice number is not mentioned in the bank payment message;

by request of ECHA's accounting department.

If you have indicated the reference (invoice) number in your payment message and it is correct, ECHA does not need any separate payment advice.

You must send a payment advice to ECHA's accounting department: payments (at) echa.europa.eu.

A proof of payment can either be a copy of your bank statement or a separate confirmation stamped by your bank.

The bank statement can serve as proof that you paid ECHA's invoice by the due date. The bank statement copy or the document stamped by your bank must clearly show the date when you ordered the bank transfer.

If ECHA has received your proof of payment but has not received the payment within a time period judged normal for bank transfers, ECHA's accounting department will contact you.

A payment advice printed from your accounting programme is not a valid proof of payment.

Proofs of payment should be sent as scanned PDF attachments to ECHA's accounting department: payments (at) echa.europa.eu.

If an invoice is cancelled e.g. incorrect invoice, incorrect billing information etc., you will receive a credit note for the whole amount of the invoice and, if needed, a replacement invoice. These electronic documents can be downloaded in PDF format from the financial management tab of the specific case in your R4BP 3 account.

Modified Date: 16/10/2017

ID: 0777

Version: 1.3

If I have received two invoices and one credit note, which invoice reference number do I indicate in the payment?

In this case, you must indicate the reference number of the latest invoice. The narrative in your invoice will explain the reasons why a new invoice was issued.

Modified Date: 11/12/2015

ID: 0778

Version: 1.1

If I have already paid the invoice for which ECHA later issues a credit note, how will the paid amount be credited back to my company?

ECHA will either reallocate the received amount to another unpaid invoice belonging to the same legal entity or refund the amount to you.

Modified Date: 11/12/2015

ID: 0779

Version: 1.2

What are the rules of a refund?

In certain cases of double payment or unclear overpayment, ECHA will refund the received amount paid in excess. Moreover, fees or charges paid after the payment deadline are “returned to sender” through the bank as undue payments.

We advice that you submit the documents to ECHA's accounting department at payments (at) echa.europa.eu before posting them.

Modified Date: 28/10/2016

ID: 0780

Version: 1.3

Do ECHA invoices have to be electronically signed?

After your application/notification has been received by ECHA, you will receive your invoice electronically through R4BP 3 – no paper invoice is sent. Invoices can be downloaded in PDF format from the financial management tab of the specific case in your R4BP 3 account.

The requirements mentioned in Directive 1999/93/EC on electronic signatures do not apply to invoices issued by ECHA. The rule on electronic signature of invoices is based on Article 233 of Directive 2006/112/EC ('the VAT Directive'), which according to Article 220, only applies to taxable persons. However, ECHA is not a taxable person, but an EU public body that does not carry out any economic activity.

In any case, the purpose of the provisions of the VAT Directive relating to electronic invoices is to guarantee the authenticity of the origin and the integrity of the content. For invoices notified by ECHA, this objective is met in a more efficient way. Invoices issued by ECHA are notified to their recipient through R4BP 3, which is a secured online platform.

Modified Date: 04/06/2015

ID: 0781

Version: 1.0

How can I prepare my accounts payable department or my accounting company in view of ECHA's invoices?

All the information you need for proceeding with the payment is visible in the invoice itself. However, depending on your internal administrative procedures, it is advisable that your accounting/accounts payable department is prepared for the payment of ECHA's invoices.

We therefore recommend that you set up ECHA's bank account information in the accounting system well in advance of the first invoice's due date.

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW BANK DETAILS SHOWN ON INVOICES AS FROM 01 JULY 2019.

As from 01 July 2019 ECHA will change the bank account details shown on its fees and charges invoices. The Agency’s new house bank is ING Belgium NV. ECHA’s new financial identification form covers all the details needed for this new bank account.

If you use an external accounting company, please ensure that all required information about ECHA and the Biocidal Products Regulation is passed on. It is also advisable to clearly relate to ECHA's status as an EU body which is exempt from any national tax or any value added tax. Please refer to Q&A 769 and Q&A 770.

Please make sure that the persons handling the payments of ECHA's invoices are aware that the payment should be made at the full amount so that any possible bank charges are not deducted from the payment.

Please inform your accounting department that if the invoice is paid after the due date, the application/notification will be rejected.

Please ensure that ECHA’s invoice number is stated in the payment instruction (see Q&A 766).

Modified Date: 09/04/2020

ID: 0782

Version: 1.3

What information about my company appears on ECHA's invoice and credit note?

The following information about your company is visible on the invoices and credit notes:

Company name and billing address indicated by the applicant – the information appearing on the invoice is the one filled in the ‘Billing address’ tab in ECHA Accounts.

Customer ID number – which is the same as the Legal entity UUID.

DUNS number and VAT number – if provided by the registrant during the sign-up; can be modified later on in the Legal entity details section of ECHA Accounts.

Purchase order number – if provided by the registrant when submitting the application/notification in R4BP 3.

If you are submitting an application/notification on behalf of the asset owner you can select either your billing address (case owner) or the billing address of the asset owner.

Additional information on how to update your company's general information in ECHA Accounts can be found in the section “How to update legal entity details” of the ECHA Accounts Manual.

Modified Date: 24/05/2018

ID: 0783

Version: 1.3

Does ECHA need a purchase order for my application?

When submitting an application/notification, you can indicate your own internal purchase order number. It is not possible to add any forgotten purchase order number or modify it afterwards.

As you register online in R4BP 3 you should not send any purchase orders by ordinary mail or email to ECHA. Please make sure that your system does not send any purchase orders automatically to ECHA. Your purchase order is only for your internal purposes.

Modified Date: 09/12/2015

ID: 0784

Version: 1.1

What is the contact address of ECHA's accounting department (accounts receivable)?

My company information has changed and the invoice is not correct; does ECHA issue updated invoices?

If your invoice has not yet been paid, ECHA can cancel it and create a new one with your new company information. If the invoice has been accepted and paid, ECHA cannot modify the invoice.

ECHA is unable to update any company information on your behalf. It is the responsibility of the account owner within the company to make sure that the information is up-to-date.

Firstly, please update your company information in ECHA Accounts as soon as possible. You can easily update your information by signing into ECHA Accounts, selecting the legal entity under the ECHA banner and checking the "Billing address" section. Here you can modify and update your information by clicking on "Edit". Please save your changes at all times.

Immediately after updating your company details, you need to contact the ECHA Helpdesk by using the webform available on the ECHA website at: http://echa.europa.eu/contact.

The company size in your ECHA Accounts cannot be considered for invoicing purposes of applications/notifications submitted through R4BP 3 (further information can be found in FAQ 787). Additional information on how to update your company's general information in ECHA Accounts can be found in section 6.1 – "Updating legal entity details" of the ECHA Accounts Manual available at: http://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/21721613/echa_accounts_en.pdf

Modified Date: 29/02/2016

ID: 0786

Version: 1.3

How do I indicate my company size?

You may indicate your company size in ECHA Accounts; however, this information will not be considered relevant for invoicing purposes of ECHA's fees for applications/notifications submitted through R4BP 3.

By default the company size will be considered as non-SME for all applications/notifications submitted through R4BP 3 where an ECHA fee is applicable, except for those applications/notifications where companies already have an SME status recognised by ECHA.

An SME reduction may be applied for applications for approval, renewal or inclusion in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of an active substance or for Union authorisation of a biocidal product or biocidal product family only if your application contains a claim for SME reduction and if ECHA has already recognised the SME status. You must indicate the claim for SME reduction when you make the submission of the above-mentioned applications.

Your company is only eligible for an SME reduction, if your SME status has been recognised by ECHA before the submission of your applications. You will need to provide documentary evidence before ECHA can accept your eligibility for an SME reduction.

For applications for approval, renewal or inclusion of an active substance in Annex I, the SME status is determined by reference to the active substances manufacturer in the Union that is represented by the prospective applicant.

For applications for product authorisation or a renewal of product authorisation, the question is determined by references to the prospective authorisation holder established in the Union.

Modified Date: 11/12/2015

ID: 0917

Version: 1.1

What documents are needed in R4BP 3 for SME status recognition under Biocidal Products Regulation?

Under the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), applicants can benefit from reduced fees established for SMEs. ECHA is responsible for checking the size of companies who claim to be eligible for reduced fees.

To support the request for SME recognition, companies should upload documentary proof of their SME status as part of the “SM-APP – SME Verification” application in R4BP 3. The documentary evidence should include:

Information about the ownership structure (upstream, downstream) at the time of the application.

The financial statements (consolidated, if available) together with accompanying notes for the two latest accounting periods before the time of the application.

Official certificate/information confirming the average number of employees for each of the two latest accounting periods before the time of application.

The above listed documents should be provided for all partner and linked enterprises, as defined by Article 3 of the Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC.

In accordance with Article 6(4) of the Biocidal Products Fee Regulation (EU) No 564/2013, the Agency has to decide on the SME status within 45 days from the day of submission of the complete documentary evidence.

In the case of an application for approval, renewal or inclusion of an active substance in Annex I to the BPR, the SME assessment should be done by referring to the headcount, turnover and balance sheet information of the active substance manufacturer established in the Union and its linked and partner enterprises.

If an application for product authorisation or renewal of product authorisation, the SME assessment should be done by reference to the headcount, turnover and balance sheet information of the prospective authorisation holder established in the Union and its linked and partner enterprises.

In the R4BP 3 context, an asset is a positive regulatory decision on an application (with a unique asset number). This decision is related to either an active substance (e.g. a decision on technical equivalence or the approval of an active substance) or a biocidal product (e.g. a national authorisation or a Union authorisation).

The asset owner is the legal entity in whose name an application or notification is made under the Biocidal Products Regulation i.e. in the case of an application for a product authorisation, the asset owner will be the product authorisation holder. If the asset owner does not appoint a representative, the asset owner and the case owner can be the same.

The case owner is the legal entity that submits an application through R4BP 3 and follows it through its processing. This could be either the future asset owner or a third party, such as a consultant.

Modified Date: 19/08/2015

ID: 0789

Version: 1.1

How do I indicate that the asset owner will be different to the case owner?

If the asset owner is different to the case owner i.e. a representative or consultant is appointed, you need to specify the identity of the asset owner when you submit a new application. You can do this in Step 1 of the application wizard, under "Asset owner details". If the case owner is different from the asset owner, the former will need to enter the asset owner UUID during the submission of an application/notification through R4BP 3.

Modified Date: 19/08/2015

ID: 0790

Version: 1.2

SPC editor tool

How can I ensure that minimum information is provided in a family SPC?

The family SPC ensures that minimum information is provided in the different levels of a family SPCs. The meta SPC level is complete if minimum required data is provided in the products within a meta SPC and the meta SPC; the family SPC is complete if all the meta SPCs, administrative information and product information are considered as complete. To provide the active substance name in the “Administrative information” section, first fill in the product information section.

Also, consider that the active substance concentration of a meta SPC cannot be specified until the concentration of the active substance is provided in the product information section. Likewise, the active substance concentration of the product cannot be provided until the active substance concentration range is specified within the related meta SPC the products belong to.

Modified Date: 28/10/2016

ID: 1232

Version: 1.0

This answer has been agreed with national helpdesks.

Which web browser do I need to use for the SPC online tool editor?

The SPC editor tool is supported by Internet Explorer 10, Firefox 29 and above or Google Chrome 35 and above. Compatibility issues may appear if you use Internet Explorer 11: just select the compatibility view icon to display the page correctly. If the compatibility view icon is not available, go to tools >> compatibility view settings and add "europa.eu" (or display all websites in compatibility view).

Modified Date: 28/10/2016

ID: 1001

Version: 1.1

Where can I find my download SPC XML file?

By default, the file is saved in the "Download" folder. If you need to change the default download location, you will need to:

For Internet Explorer:

Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner, then click/tap on <View downloads>.

Click on the <Browser> and define the location

For Firefox and Google Chrome:

From the Menu bar, select <Option>, then <General> and click on <Browse> to define the location.

Modified Date: 04/06/2015

ID: 1002

Version: 1.0

Understanding how to use the SPC editor tool

If you submit an initial application where the SPC is required, go to the SPC editor, select “New” and provide all the minimum required information. Save the file and upload it in R4BP 3 when required by the wizard.

If you need to prepare an SPC when a case or asset is already in R4BP 3, you must edit the existing SPC in R4BP 3. This is the case when: you apply for a change on request; an authority asks you for further information, or the case has been migrated from R4BP2.

If the above applies, please follow these steps:

Download the SPC from R4BP 3. Go to the case or asset, select the “SPC documents” sub-tab and click on “Download SPC”. Save it on your desktop.

Go to the SPC editor, select “Open” and provide the minimum required information. Save the changes on your desktop.

Upload your SPC XML file when required by the R4BP 3 wizard.

To technically pass the R4BP 3 upload step, you have to populate all mandatory fields. The SPC editor tool has a built-in feature that allows you to determine whether you have provided the minimum required information. If the error icon is displayed in the relevant tab () you are not providing the minimum information required.

In the example below, the error icon is displayed in the “H & P statements” tab because at least one hazard and precautionary statement must be provided (see the text in red in the example below).

When you enter <+Add hazard statement> and <+Add precautionary statement>, if applicable, the SPC will consider this minimum information as correctly entered.

To prepare an SPC that R4BP 3 will accept as a valid format, you need to use:

a single numerical value or a single letter in the free-text fields; or

a value from the respective dropdown lists.

Note: Ensure that the format of your file is correct following the instructions included in Q&A 1054.

Modified Date: 26/06/2017

ID: 1056

Version: 1.1

How can I create an SPC in a different language?

You need to complete the following steps:

Open the SPC file saved on your computer with the SPC online editor.

Select New >> Draft from final SPC (only if you are working with a final SPC downloaded from R4BP 3).

Click on New >> Market area version and press when the editor asks you to discard your current changes.

Enter the target language and press <OK>.

Once you complete these steps, the free-text fields in the ‘Authorised uses’ and ‘Directions for use’ tabs will still contain the same text as the original SPC: you will need to manually complete the translation of these sections.

Modified Date: 24/05/2018

ID: 1118

Version: 1.2

I cannot edit my SPC file. Why?

Final SPCs are read-only documents that cannot be edited. A lock icon under the language labelling section below the ECHA logo indicates that you are working with a final SPC. To edit a final SPC, you need to select:

New >> Draft for changes, renewals – if you apply for changes on request or renewals;

New >> Draft for simplified authorisations – if you modify a simplified authorisation; or

New >> Draft from final SPC – for any other case that requires the modification of a final SPC.

Modified Date: 24/05/2018

ID: 1119

Version: 1.1

How do I add an additional product type or type of formulation in a family SPC?

Once you have added the first product type or type of formulation, click on the blank space next to the selected item to enter more options.

Modified Date: 02/11/2016

ID: 1233

Version: 1.0

How can I transfer content from one SPC file to another?

The <Import XML> button allows you to transfer content from another SPC to the SPC you are working with. In an SPC for a single biocidal product, this functionality replaces the content of the file you are working on with the content of the (other/selected) file. In an SPC for a biocidal product family, the functionality will add the imported content to the existing content of the SPC file you are working on. If you need to modify the content of an existing biocidal product family SPC, you will need to do so manually.

Modified Date: 16/04/2020

ID: 1508

Version: 1.0

The SPC online editor opens a blank page. Why?

The SPC online editor may open a blank page depending on the cookies available in your web browser. You will need to remove the cookies following these instructions:

You may alternatively open your browser in private mode to bypass the blank page to be opened, using the following keyboard shortcuts (pressing the keys at the same time):

In Internet Explorer and Firefox: Ctrl + Shift + P.

In Chrome: Ctrl + Shift + N.

Modified Date: 24/05/2018

ID: 1509

Version: 1.0

Searching in R4BP 3

How can I retrieve information relevant to a particular case?

If you are looking for a particular case, you need to use the "Cases" tab. Clicking on the case number link will direct you to the ‘Case details' page containing company details, product/substance details, dossier and supporting documents, events history, invoices related to your case and related cases.

Modified Date: 04/06/2015

ID: 0801

Version: 1.0

How do I find information on my applications/notifications in R4BP 3?

You can verify the status of your application in your R4BP 3 message inbox. You can find your approved applications/notification under the “Assets” tab.

You can also find the status of your application when using the “Case” tab with the status “Closed – Approved”. In addition, you can search for on-going applications (“In progress”) as well as rejected applications/notifications (“Closed – Rejected”) in the “Cases” tab.

By default, R4BP 3 displays information based on certain criteria. In particular:

Tasks: filtered by "open tasks";

Messages: received within the last two months;

Cases: status "in progress"; and

Assets: status "active".

To find further information, you may change the search criteria in R4BP 3.

For the migration of assets from R4BP2 to R4BP 3 special rules apply. Further details can be found in the Q&A migration to R4BP 3.

Modified Date: 04/06/2015

ID: 0926

Version: 1.0

Where can I find my application related to the review programme in R4BP 3?

Only notification procedure (RP-NOT) can be found as assets in R4BP 3. All other related case types related to the review programme, i.e., declarations of interest to notify (DI-SUB), changes of participants (PA-CHG) or active substance evaluation under Regulation (EU) No 1602/2014 can be found as cases. Select "Closed – Approved" as search criteria to find more on your case.

Information on the review programme is also publicly available in the existing active substance website.

Modified Date: 26/07/2017

ID: 1214

Version: 1.0

I can see in the events history the message "Active substance in dossier not recognised". Why?

For active substance applications, i.e., application for approval of active substance (AS-APP) or active substance evaluation under the Review programme (AS-EVA), the messages "active substance in dossier not recgonised" will be displayed in the ‘Format checks' step if the active substance to be included is not recognised yet in R4BP 3. Once ECHA completes the assessment on the substance identity your application will be processed as usual.

Modified Date: 26/07/2017

ID: 1215

Version: 1.0

How can I add, replace or join new participants to my active substance evaluation under the review programme?

Click on <Create new case> and select "PA – CHG Change of participants." If you need to add a participant, enter the company UUID. New participants will need to create an account in R4BP 3 and provide you with the primary legal entity associated to their account.

ECHA will make an assessment of your request. Once completed, the participant will be added or removed from the AS-EVA case.Only one change can be applied until ECHA takes a decision. Note: Changes of participants reported to ECHA prior July 2015 via ECHA webforms will not be updated in R4BP 3. In order to include properly this information in R4BP 3 the case owner of the related AS-EVA case will need to include the list of participants submitting a PA-GHG case.

As part of the formal process of an application acceptance, ECHA takes a number of steps before it submitts an application to competent authorities – i.e. national authorisation application, or to ECHA for further assessment.

At a glance, the steps include:

Virus scan

File format check:

Virus scan

Business rules confirmation

Application acceptance

Invoice assessment (where applicable)

Confidentiality claim screening

At the end of this process, you will receive a message saying “Submission accepted by ECHA” if the application has been successful, or “Case rejected by ECHA” if the application has been rejected.

Accepted applications will be forwarded to the MSCA nominated by the applicant during the submission process or to ECHA, e.g. for an assessment of technical equivalence.

It is the case owner’s responsibility to regularly check the ‘Message list’ in R4BP 3, to monitor the status of the application (messages are sent after each processing step) and the ‘Tasks’ tab to complete certain actions (e.g. requests for additional information).

Modified Date: 26/11/2018

ID: 0928

Version: 1.4

What are the steps I can expect when a competent authority is dealing with my case?

The following steps will normally be performed by your competent authority when your case is processed:

Acceptance: your case is accepted or rejected for further processing;

Validation: validation on whether you have provided the correct information for the assessment of your case;

Evaluation: formal assessment on the quality and adequacy of the data and the related conclusions related to your case.

You can monitor the progress of your case through the ‘Events history' sub-tab in R4BP 3.

The ‘Events history' sub-tab provides you with a list of all the actions that your case has gone through in chronological order (e.g. BRC confirmation started, Invoice sent (when applicable), Submission format verified, etc.). This is a very useful sub-tab, helping you to follow the application processing steps.

If you wish to view submitted documents or financial related documents, go under other sub-tabs, e.g. ‘Documents' or ‘Financial management'. In addition, depending on the application type, you may receive the following messages:

New task: an action is required from your side, i.e. provide additional information;

New information from authority, i.e. invoice delivered if required in your case.

For every step your authority complets you will receive a message. You can check the history of all messages sent to you when clicking on the ‘Events history' tab.

Note: Some applications related to changes on request or simplified authorisation do not include the validation step.

Notifications and some simplified authorisation cases will only include the evaluation step for your authorities.

Modified Date: 04/07/2016

ID: 0929

Version: 1.2

What is the meaning of "step started, due by <date>" in the events history tab?

An informative deadline based on the legal text is included to inform you when a step is expected to be completed by an authority. It is a reminder for information purposes. No action is required from your side.

Modified Date: 04/06/2015

ID: 0930

Version: 1.0

How can I know the status of my case?

You can search for your case details in R4BP 3 and select the "Events history" sub-tab. You will find a chronological description of the events related to your case, including the topic, the subject of the message and the sender.

The case owner will also receive a message (in their R4BP 3 account) for every relevant step of the process. You need to check the tasks in order to identify any requests for action you have received from your authority.

Modified Date: 19/08/2015

ID: 0931

Version: 1.2

How can I follow communications submitted by authorities?

You will receive notifications to your email address based on the details provided in your R4BP 3 account.

If your email is not linked to the contact person in your R4BP 3 user account, you need to regularly monitor messages and tasks in R4BP 3.

By default, the “Messages” inbox displays the messages received in the last two months; the “Tasks” inbox displays all open tasks. Q&A 796 indicates the main differences between “Messages” and “Task” inboxes.

Modified Date: 15/06/2017

ID: 0932

Version: 1.3

How can I withdraw a case made in R4BP 3?

As a case owner, you can withdraw an ongoing case in R4BP 3 at any time.

To withdraw your case in R4BP 3, the action ‘Withdraw case’ should be initiated in the corresponding case details screen. The status of the case will change to ‘Closed – Withdrawn’.

According to Article 13 of the BPR Fee Regulation, only applications for active substance approval, Union authorisation, and minor and major changes can be partially refunded after a withdrawal. Useful information can also be found in Q&A 768. Fees already paid to ECHA for any application types other than the ones mentioned above will not be refunded.

Applications initiated within a case that has been withdrawn, i.e. when a delegation allows a different company to submit a related application, will also need to be withdrawn. If no action is taken, your authorities will be forced to reject these delegated applications.

Modified Date: 24/05/2018

ID: 0933

Version: 1.6

I receive the error message “invalid XML format or missing information” when I upload the SPC. Why?

The common reason why you receive this error message is because you have used an incompatible format. This happens when you copy/paste data from an external source into the SPC free-text fields. While this action does not always trigger a format error, it is safest if you copy the data into “Notepad” to clear any format/style; then copy the data from Notepad into the SPC online editor.

Another reason may be that you are working with an SPC file created using the old SPC online tool version available before October 2016. If this is your case, you can:

Download the SPC available in R4BP 3 and start working from this file using the current SPC online editor; or

Use the <SPC version convertor> available in the SPC online editor.

IMPORTANT: When working with an SPC that contains an incorrect format, make sure that you completely remove ALL content in the free-text fields before you paste the content without a format or style.

Modified Date: 28/10/2016

ID: 1054

Version: 1.5

How does grouping of applications work in R4BP 3?

R4BP 3 allows certain application types, such as mutual recognitions, to be grouped. In practice, you can include:

a technical dossier (if required),

supporting documentation, and

as many SPCs as Member States you intend to submit your application to.

Remember that the market area of the SPCs needs to match the market area selected in the grouping during R4BP 3 submission. As a result, R4BP 3 will automatically generate as many cases as SPCs as you have included in your submission.

The information related to the technical dossier and supporting documentation can be found in the reference asset; the SPCs can be found in every case.

Once these applications are processed by R4BP 3, they will be handled independently by your authorities.

Modified Date: 28/10/2016

ID: 1116

Version: 1.2

Why do I receive the error message “the system is expecting SPCs for one single biocidal product (i.e. SPCs with same product UUID)”?

This R4BP 3 message ensures that the SPCs uploaded in an application submitted through R4BP 3 belongs to the same product according to the submission criteria you define in the wizard. In particular, this error message appears in R4BP 3:

If you apply for a mutual recognition in a different market area, please select a new market area version in the SPC editor from the original SPC to create an SPC in a different market area correctly.

If you group submissions, include as many SPCs as market areas as you have selected in the application wizard for single product applications. You can easily create a new market area version of the original SPC in the SPC editor.

I receive the error message “The system is expecting an SPC(s) that has been created from the reference SPC (i.e. same product UUID)”. Why?

R4BP 3 ensures that you consider the terms and conditions of an already existing authorisation.

If you apply for a change on request or renewal of national authorisation, you need to modify the existing SPC in the reference asset (national authorisation).

If you create a new SPC or start from an invalid SPC, R4BP 3 will not accept your SPC. You need to search for your asset, download this SPC within the asset and edit it with the SPC editor.

Modified Date: 24/05/2018

ID: 1145

Version: 1.1

Where can I find information on how to create a BPR dossier with IUCLID?

To create your dossier, you will need to read the instructions provided in the BSM Technical guide: How to prepare a biocides dossier. This manual will help you to build basic minimum information in IUCLID, as well as how to include Annex II and Annex III information requirements or a letter of access when applicable. This is the minimum information that ECHA will check to ensure that key data is provided in IUCLID format.

The authority responsible for validating your application will provide support to you on what minimum information requirements are needed for your application.

Modified Date: 26/11/2018

ID: 1166

Version: 1.1

My assets are not linked as mutual recognition in R4BP 3. What can I do?

The following two scenarios are likely:

If the authorisations were migrated from R4BP2, ECHA has agreed on a process to make sure that the links between different assets can be created. Contact your authorities to know more on how to proceed.

To re-unite former authorisaitions that were part of frame formulations in R4BP2, single product authorisation assets can be merged with the process NA-MRG (Conversion from frame formulation into a family). However, the merging does not take into account any linked mutual recognitions. These relations are lost. Make sure that you select the relevant market areas that should be linked as mutual recognitions where you intend to apply for a family application. If you need to To recover the links in R4BP 3, please contact ECHA for further analysis.

The following two scenarios may apply:

If the authorisations were migrated from R4BP2, ECHA has agreed on a process to make sure that the links between different assets can be created. Contact your authorities to know more on how to proceed.

To re-unite former authorisations that were part of frame formulations in R4BP2, single product authorisation assets can be merged with the process NA-MRG. However, the merging does not take into account any kind of linked mutual recognitions. These relations are lost unfortunately. To recover the links in R4BP 3, please contact ECHA.

Modified Date: 28/10/2016

ID: 1167

Version: 1.0

What is a master SPC?

A master SPC identifies the SPC used as a source of information to be displayed in your R4BP 3 application. When you upload one or more translated SPCs, you need to define which SPC will be considered as the master SPC. If only one SPC is provided, you need to select the available SPC by default.

Modified Date: 28/10/2016

ID: 1228

Version: 1.0

I receive the message “Warning: some previously uploaded files have been removed from the SPC package, since they no longer meet the required constraints (probably the SPC package of the reference item has been updated in the meantime)”. Why?

R4BP 3 ensures that the information provided in your application is consistent. If you submit updated information related to a particular asset (i.e. changes on request, same biocidal product or renewal) the SPC available in this asset will be updated with the new information of the SPC available in the latest case approved by your authorities.

If you submitted several cases in parallel from the same asset, you need to take into consideration what information has been included in the SPC available in the asset. If you receive the warning message, you should download the SPC available in the asset and edit it.

Use the <Compare with> button available in the SPC editor to compare what information has changed in the SPC available in the asset and the case you are working with.

Modified Date: 28/10/2016

ID: 1229

Version: 1.0

How can I handle family applications submitted following the workaround solution with the new family SPC structure?

If you have submitted a family application based on the new family concept, ECHA has migrated all information on your behalf to the new family SPC. These migrated SPCs are available in R4BP 3.

The migration to the new structure provides data in the SPC to the best extent possible. However, you may still need to work on the SPC to report your family SPC correctly, i.e add more than one meta SPC, match products to the relevant meta or define the concentration limits of the active substance that applies to every meta SPC.

Modified Date: 28/10/2016

ID: 1230

Version: 1.0

How can I group SPCs and assets in a grouped submission of administrative changes?

When you use the submitted grouped application for administrative changes as a new application in R4BP 3, you need to follow these steps in the upload SPC step:

1 – Browse and upload the SPCs related to your administrative change.

2 – Select the relevant asset under the “Selected assets” list.

3 – Click on the icon “Match SPC with the selected asset”.

4 – Upload the SPC associated to the asset displayed in selected assets area. If more than one SPC file is matched to an asset, then the master language SPC file must be indicated.

5 – Click on <Check selected SPC(s) & Asset>.

Steps 2 to 5 need to be completed for every asset/SPC combination until all asset/SPC combinations are matched and successfully checked (marked by a green “thumb up” icon). In the example below, an asset/SPC combination is still missing (marked by a red “thumb down” icon)

Modified Date: 16/06/2017

ID: 1351

Version: 1.0

What do I need to consider for case transfers?

The case owner and the prospective asset owner in an ‘In progress’ case can be changed in R4BP 3 in certain scenarios. Please consider the following information when you complete the changes in R4BP 3:

Case transfer is a two-step process – the case owner or prospective asset owner initiates a transfer using the delegation tab in the relevant case; an additional action then needs to be performed to accept the transfer.

The current case/asset owner initiates the change; the new case/asset owner can then accept the transfer.

Changing the case owner and the prospective asset owner are two different actions: when the case owner and prospective asset owner are the same company, you need to complete the <Add transfer> actions twice to transfer the case owner and the prospective asset owner.

There are certain scenarios where the prospective asset owner cannot be changed, i.e. in the case of certain notifications, changes on request, renewals or mutual recognitions.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Case owners/asset owners need to agree outside R4BP 3 on the terms and conditions to share the IUCLID technical dossier. A IUCLID technical dossier is not part of the transfer of a case to a different entity. Sharing the technical dossier needs to be considered as part of the agreement reached between parties outside R4BP 3.

The new case/asset owner will have access to all the information available in the different tabs related to a case. Pending tasks will be reallocated to the new case owner and new messages will only be delivered to the new case owner.

Can I submit renewals linked to mutually recognised applications when the (prospective) authorisation holders are different?

Yes. This option applies to the submission renewals subject to mutual recognition. If the nomination of a case owner is not present, the authorisation holder can establish a nomination from the asset.

The case owner will be able to submit a renewal subject to mutual recognition with different authorisation holders provided that:

a mutual recognition link is available between assets; and

an active nomination to the same case owner is available in mutually recognised assets.

The case owner will be able to see when a nomination has been established if in step 1 of the R4BP 3 wizard for renewal there is an option to select the asset(s) under a different asset owner.

Case owners are responsible for following up any communications or requests for additional information from authorities.

Modified Date: 24/05/2018

ID: 1503

Version: 1.0

When can I submit a mutual recognition in parallel?

It is expected that a mutual recognition in parallel (NA-MRP) is submitted at the same time to the different Member States where the mutual recognition applies. Technically, it is still possible to submit an NA-MRP as long as the validation step of the reference application has not been completed by your authorities: once the evaluation step is created in R4BP 3 in the reference application, it is no longer possible to include other NA-MRP applications to other Member States.

Modified Date: 24/05/2018

ID: 1504

Version: 1.0

I receive the error message “The system is expecting an SPC with the same UUIDs of meta SPC(s) and same number of product(s) as in the reference SPC”. Why?

R4BP 3 verifies that the scope of a mutual recognition for a biocidal product family application is consistent across different Member States. The basic principle to be considered for mutual recognition applications is that the same application is also submitted to other Member States. R4BP 3 does not allow a reduced or increased number of members to be provided in a family application to a concerned Member State. Similarly, a mutual recognition for biocidal product family submitted to a concerned Member State cannot have more or less meta-SPCs or biocidal products than the reference application. If this issue is triggered by the sameness criteria used to group the family members, you need to contact your national authorities.

Modified Date: 24/05/2018

ID: 1505

Version: 1.0

Is it possible to include additional Member States in a grouped application?

Technically, additional Member States can be included in an existing renewal application subject to mutual recognition. It is important that you clarify the application submission with your concerned competent authority. If a draft application is continued, R4BP 3 will perform again the checks on existing data to ensure that the information is up to date. If the information is not valid, the wizard will suggest that you update certain information or simply delete the draft application to make a new submission, depending on the circumstances.

The application will be considered as submitted once a case number is created in R4BP 3.

Modified Date: 24/05/2018

ID: 1506

Version: 1.0

Is an application saved as a draft considered as submitted?

No. A draft application allows you to save your work in progress and return to your application at a later date to edit and submit it, but it cannot be considered as a submission.

When you resume work on a draft application, R4BP 3 will perform the checks on existing data again to ensure that the information is up to date. If the information is not valid, the wizard will suggest that you update certain information or simply delete the draft application to make a new submission, depending on the circumstances.

The application will be considered as submitted once a case number is created in R4BP 3.